Discharge Nursing Associate

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Band 4 Discharge Nursing Associate to join their Integrated Discharge Team. This position involves working with a multidisciplinary team to facilitate safe and timely discharges for patients, requiring NMC Nursing Associate registration. Ideal candidates will have experience in an acute hospital and effective communication skills. The role also includes supervising discharge facilitators and ensuring patient-focused services are consistently delivered. This is an on-site role based in Bournemouth and Poole hospitals.

Qualifications

• NMC registration mandatory.
• Experience in an acute hospital setting.
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Provide supervision and training for discharge facilitators.
• Coordinate and facilitate safe discharges.
• Maintain accurate documentation regarding discharge planning.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Communication skills

Workload prioritization

Education

NMC registered Nursing Associate

Tools

Dorset Healthcare system knowledge

Job description

Go back University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Discharge Nursing Associate

The closing date is 31 December 2025

We are pleased to announce an exciting vacancy for a Band 4 Discharge Nursing Associate to join our UHD Integrated Discharge Team at UHD hospital!

The Integrated Discharge team across UHD is an extremely dynamic, innovative and supportive multidisciplinary team who are passionate in enacting a discharge to assess (D2A) model for discharge out of hospital, as outlined in the National Hospital Discharge Service Requirement Policy and reginal Home First: FutureCare model. The team supports the clinical areas in the hospital multi-disciplinary team working with external partners to plan discharge in line with the patient's wishes, their next of kin/ representatives to achieve a safe and timely discharge.

This post is an opportunity to be involved in providing support in complex discharge planning , working as a member of the Transfer of Care Hub and liaising with external partners to expedite safe and timely discharge for our patients.

The post holder will be expected to work weekends and Bank holidays as the service operates 7 day / week. This position will be based across both Poole and Bournemouth hospitals.

This role requires NMC Nursing Associate Registration.

Interview Date: 12th January 2026

Main duties of the job

• The primary purpose of the post holder is to provide a visible presence across UHD to deliver supervision, training, and support for the discharge facilitators/ keyworkers.
• To ensure a consistently safe, responsive and patient-focused service provided by the Discharge Facilitators/ Keyworkers.
• To elevate issues as appropriate to the Clinical Discharge Leads in the discharge team.
• To act as the discharge expert to coordinate and facilitate safe and timely discharge.
• To work in partnership with the MDT, social services, integrated care board, discharge services team and voluntary agencies regarding simple and complex needs identified during the admission process to provide effective discharge planning to patients and their representatives that facilitate discharge.

About us

UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.

If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.

UHD has active networks including Women's, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.

AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.

Job responsibilities

• To be first point of contact for queries from the discharge facilitators/ keyworkers.
• Work autonomously with support from the Clinical Discharge Leads, Cluster leads and wards across both UHD sites supporting with monthly meetings for information sharing and training.
• To support discharge facilitators/ keyworkers with pathway plans and signposting to appropriate resources.
• Work within the limits of your knowledge, seeking advice from Clinical Discharge and Cluster Leads in relation to potential or actual problems in a timely fashion according to the severity of the situation.
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure appropriate people and services are kept up to date with changes.

Qualifications

• NMC registered Nursing Associate

Experience

• Experience of working in an acute hospital.
• Experience of working in a team.
• Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team under appropriate supervision.
• Evidence of involvement in support and development of less experienced staff.
• Knowledge of related legal frameworks for discharge, social and health care.

Knowledge

• Understands the scope of the role of the Nursing Associate.
• Knowledge of complex discharge planning.
• Knowledge of when to seek advice and consider escalation appropriately.
• Understand the scope of the Nursing associate role in context of the team and the organisation.
• Understand how the nursing associate role may contribute to service development.

Other requirements specific to the role

• Able to interact with people at all levels.
• Excellent interpersonal skill.
• Capable of workload prioritisation.

Technical skills

• Effective communication skills (verbal and written) and good interpersonal skills.
• Understands and practices the principles of confidentiality.
• Knowledge of the Dorset Healthcare system.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust